67.29% votes cast in Nagaland polls till 2pm

Brisk polling was witnessed in Nagaland where 67.29% votes were cast till 2pm on Saturday for 59 seats of the state assembly amidst unprecedented security.

Polling has been adjourned in Tuensang sadar seat following the death of Congress candidate P Chuba Chang in Kohima on Friday.

Polling has been peaceful across the state so far, except for skirmishes among workers and supporters of various candidates as unprecedented security arrangements were made with a total 25,500 central paramilitary force personnel deployed for providing hundred% cover to the polling stations, Election Commission sources said.

They said sources said the percentage would go up as long queues were seen in front of booths, specially in rural areas.

Nagaland Baptist Church Council and Election Commission had urged very voter to exercise their franchise.

Reports of late commencement of voting due to defective EVMs are being reported from Wokha and Mon districts.

Polling in Nagalnd would end at 4pm.

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio exercised his franchise at his village Touphema in Northern Angami constituency, while state Congress president SI Jamir cast his vote at Dimapur-II.

Meanwhile, polling could not begin at Lahdoigar polling station of Tamlu assembly constituency in Longleng district of the state due to alleged intervention of security personnel from Assam.

Longleng superintendent of police Rajashekaran said that Lahdoigar polling station I lies in the disputed area on the interstate borders between Assam and Nagaland.

He said though polling personnel had reached the polling station with voting machinees this morning, Assam police did not allow any voter to exercise their franchise.

Longleng police and district administration had contacted their Assam counterpart to allow polling in the area, but Assam officials had not relented.

As per the Election Commission's directive, Longleng deputy commissioner K Libanthung Lotha has left for Lahdoigar to make alternative arrangement for conduct of polls, Rajashekharan added.